SOA Advanced Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics — October 2026 Sitting
Elevate Beyond Self-Study for ASTAM.
ASTAM’s effective pass rate hovers around the low 50s — meaning close to half of candidates don’t clear it, many on a second or third attempt. If you already know the material but it still isn’t translating into a pass, this bootcamp adds the structured weekly instruction, written-answer technique, and timed practice that self-study alone doesn’t give you.
October 2026 Sitting
September 19 – October 10, 2026
4-week bootcamp
53
Effective Pass Rate
6
Qs Written Answer
180
Minutes Exam Duration
6
Topics Syllabus Areas
4
Live weekly classes
The Real Problem
Why prepared candidates still don't pass ASTAM
ASTAM is a six-question, written-answer exam spanning severity and aggregate loss models, parametric estimation, credibility, and reserving — six very different toolkits that all have to be exam-ready at once. Most candidates who don’t pass aren’t missing knowledge; they’re missing the exam-day execution layer.
Mixing up estimation methods
MLE, Bayesian estimation, and the delta method for variance all show up in the same topic area — candidates frequently apply the wrong method or skip variance estimation entirely under time pressure.
Aggregate model mechanics
Convolution and recursive formulas for compound distributions are computation-heavy and easy to set up incorrectly, especially when candidates haven’t drilled discretization (rounding vs. local moment matching) enough times to do it fast.
Credibility formula confusion
Bühlmann, Bühlmann-Straub, and Bayesian (greatest accuracy) credibility get blended together — candidates often apply the wrong formula or can’t explain the relationship between them when asked to.
Reserving method mismatches
Chain-Ladder, Bornhuetter-Ferguson, Mack’s model, and the (over-dispersed) Poisson model each have different assumptions — using the wrong one, or failing to justify the choice, is one of the most common point losses on this exam.
Weak written presentation
Graders can only reward what they can read. Undefined notation, missing steps, and disorganised workings cost candidates points even when the underlying maths is correct — the same issue that shows up across every SOA written-answer exam.
Running out of time
Six questions in three hours, plus one Excel-based question, leaves little room for candidates who haven’t practiced full-length timed papers. Spending too long early on collapses the whole exam.
ASTAM extends directly from FAM-S — candidates who haven’t kept their short-term loss model fundamentals sharp often find that gap compounds quickly once ASTAM adds parameter estimation, credibility, and reserving on top. Strong exam performance depends as much on written-answer technique and timed practice as it does on knowing the formulas.
Syllabus Coverage
Every ASTAM Topic — Weighted Where It Counts
Our bootcamp covers every topic on the official October 2026 ASTAM syllabus, with the most instructional time given to the highest-weight and most-failed areas.
8–18%
Severity models
- Effect of parameter changes on distributions
- Building new distributions (scaling, powers, mixing, splicing)
- Comparing tail behavior, hazard rates, mean excess functions
- Generalized Extreme Value & Generalized Pareto distributions
12–22%
Aggregate models
- Convolution & recursive formulas for (a,b,0)/(a,b,1) frequency
- Discretizing continuous distributions (rounding, local moment matching)
- Sums of compound Poisson models
8–18%
Coverage modifications
- Deductibles, policy limits, coinsurance, stop-loss reinsurance
- Loss elimination ratios, increased limits factors, deductible factors
- Effects of inflation on losses
14–24%
Construction & selection of parametric models
- Maximum likelihood estimation & variance of estimators
- Delta method for variance of a function of the parameters
- Bayesian estimation for severity, frequency & aggregate models
- Model selection: graphical, hypothesis tests, AIC/BIC/SBC
High failure rate
12–20%
Credibility
- Bayesian (greatest accuracy) credibility
- Bühlmann & Bühlmann-Straub models
- Empirical Bayesian estimation — nonparametric & semiparametric
15–29%
Reserving & pricing for short-term coverages
- Expected Loss Ratio, Chain-Ladder, Bornhuetter-Ferguson, Bayesian, Frequency/Severity methods
- Mack's model, Poisson & over-dispersed Poisson models
- Trend analysis for projected losses
- Rate indications via loss cost & loss ratio methods; risk classification & balancing back
Highest weight
What You’ll Get
A full bootcamp, not just practice exams
Four live weekly classes
Full syllabus coverage in a structured, connected sequence
Live instruction on theory, intuition, and exam-level application
Real-time Q&A during every session
Written-answer & Excel technique guide
How to structure solutions graders can follow
Partial-credit maximisation across all six questions
Approach for the dedicated Excel-based question
Full-length final mock exam
Realistic 6-question, 60-point format, including the Excel question
Completed at your own pace after Week 4
Graded by our instructors, with written feedback provided
High-Yield Topic Deep Dives
MLE, delta method & Bayesian estimation walkthroughs
Aggregate model discretization techniques
Credibility formula comparisons
Reserving method selection & justification
FAM-S foundations refresh
Targeted review of prerequisite concepts ASTAM assumes
The short-term loss model fundamentals most candidates haven’t touched since FAM
Interactive Q&A Support
Ask questions live during every weekly class
Clarify ambiguous question phrasing and exam strategy
Learn from questions raised by other students
Designed to elevate your skills beyond self-study using ACTEX, Coaching Actuaries, ASM, or TIA — not replace them. Those resources cover the syllabus content comprehensively. This bootcamp focuses on what they typically don’t: connected weekly instruction, written-answer technique, partial-credit strategy, and timed full-length practice under real exam conditions.
Program Structure
Your 4-week ASTAM bootcamp
September 19 – October 10, 2026. Four live weekly classes, every Saturday at 9:00–11:00 AM EST, moving through the full syllabus — with a self-paced, graded mock exam after the final class.
Week 1
Sat, Sep 19 · 9:00–11:00 AM EST
Severity models & aggregate models
Start with severity distributions — tail behavior, GEV and Generalized Pareto — then move into aggregate claims via convolution and recursive formulas, discretization, and compound Poisson sums.
Week 2
Sat, Sep 26 · 9:00–11:00 AM EST
Coverage modifications & parametric model construction
Cover deductibles, limits, coinsurance and stop-loss, then move into the exam’s highest-failure area: MLE, variance of estimators, the delta method, Bayesian estimation, and model selection techniques.
Week 3
Sat, Oct 3 · 9:00–11:00 AM EST
Credibility & intro to reserving
Work through Bayesian, Bühlmann, and Bühlmann-Straub credibility, then begin the exam’s heaviest-weighted topic with Expected Loss Ratio, Chain-Ladder, and Bornhuetter-Ferguson reserving methods.
Week 4
Sat, Oct 10 · 9:00–11:00 AM EST
Advanced reserving, ratemaking & exam-day readiness + Full-length Mock Up Exam
Finish reserving with Mack’s model and the (over-dispersed) Poisson model, cover trend analysis and rate indications, then wrap up with an exam-day readiness discussion. After class, you’ll be given a complete full-length mock exam to work through at your own pace — graded by our instructors, with written feedback provided afterward.
Student Testimonials
What Students Are Saying
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Who is the instructor for the bootcamp?
Raymond Goh is an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) completing his final requirements towards Fellowship with over 7 years of actuarial experience across insurance and consulting lines. He possesses a great deal of experience teaching and supporting actuarial students in their exam preparation. He is passionate about making difficult actuarial concepts clear and intuitive and his students exam ready.
Is this a replacement for ACTEX, Coaching Actuaries, or TIA?
No. This bootcamp is designed to elevate your skills beyond self-study using ACTEX, Coaching Actuaries, ASM, or TIA — not replace them. Those resources cover content comprehensively. This bootcamp focuses on what they typically don’t: connected weekly instruction, written-answer technique, partial-credit strategy, and timed full-length practice under real exam conditions.
How is this bootcamp structured?
Four live weekly classes move through the full syllabus in sequence — severity and aggregate models, then coverage modifications and parametric estimation, then credibility and reserving, then advanced reserving, ratemaking, and exam-day readiness. After Week 4, you’ll complete a full-length mock exam at your own pace, graded with written feedback provided afterward.
How is the mock exam developed?
The final mock exam is built by following the most recent SOA syllabus and released past exams, reflecting the style, format, and point structure of the real ASTAM exam — 6 questions, 60 points, with one Excel-based question. You complete it at your own pace after Week 4, and our instructors grade it and provide written feedback.
Will class recordings be available?
Yes — all four live classes are recorded and shared with enrolled students, so you can revisit them at any point during the four-week program.
Who is this bootcamp best suited for?
This bootcamp is ideal for candidates with an upcoming ASTAM sitting who want structured, connected instruction across the full syllabus plus dedicated exam-skills practice. It’s especially valuable for candidates on a repeat attempt who already know parts of the material but haven’t closed the gap on written-answer technique and timed practice.
I passed FAM recently. Do I need a foundations refresher?
If your FAM-S knowledge is fresh and solid, you likely don’t need a full refresher. We include a targeted FAM-S foundations review as part of Week 1, so you can quickly patch any gaps without revisiting your entire FAM notes.
Ready to elevate your ASTAM preparation?
Join fellow ASTAM candidates and build the exam skills that separate those who pass from those who don’t — before sitting day. Program runs September 19 – October 10, 2026.
Limited spots — enrollment closes once we’re full.
